And a new road streak starts....
by Green17 on Dec 29, 2009 1:16 AM EST
in Boston Celtics Games
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PrintNellie-ball! Thankfully the Celtics only have to play it twice per season. On the second night of a west-coast back-to-back, coming off a rather disappointing effort, without Captain Pierce the Celtics were caught in a buzz saw of helter-skelter play. Rest assured, if the Celtics put out a 2009-2010 season DVD, this game will not be on it. It was uglier than Sheed's 3pt percentage (28.5% on the season, but 6 of his last 31). The Warriors held on with some timely baskets and defense down the stretch.
Again it came down to the final moments, and for the second night in a row, Doc calls for a three in a clutch situation rather than ramming it low (Ray today, Sheed on Sunday). Maybe its just me, but I think giving KG a touch there down 3 with 45 seconds to go might be a good strategy.
- Two games ago, the Celtics defense was crushing. Apparently that defense stayed in Orlando as the Warriors, like the Clips, cut the Celtics into pieces on the defensive end of the floor.
- Credit the Warriors though, they hit shot after shot after shot after shot...Particularly Ellis, Randolph and Watson.
- Rajon bounced back with 30 points and 15 dimes (offset by 6 turnovers), but Ellis also just did whatever he wanted and scored 37 points.
- Perk is havinga terrible, horrible, no good very bad west coast portion of this road trip. Kaman used his step-back powers to abuse Perk. The Warriors bigs (aside from Turiaf) are all so skinny that as soon as Perk touches them it looks like they're being tossed around, leading to a couple of cheap calls.
- Glen Davis played well, but suffered a sprained ankle late in the 3rd (or so), and did not return.
- Can't wait for this roadie to be over both for the home court and a return to Tommy on the broadcast, but first the Celts have to play the Suns, who will be in action for the first time since their destruction of the Lakers. Rut row, this could be a 1-3 road trip.
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Perk
Perk is getting hosed, And Baby got knocked out of the game and there was no call. This game made me sick.
Yep, reffing was as horrendous as ever.
But it’s our loss really. Bad execution and lousy D on picks by bigs on Rondo.
- Dirk van Boxtel, the wandering Celtic fan.
Twitter: @4Hoopz
If Baby is hurt again and if Garnett tweaked his knee.....
Wednesday night could be extremely ugly.
FUNNIEST game of the year
I don’t think I’ve ever laughed as hard during a game as I did watching KG and Perk jumping up and down waving their arms on those last 2 inbounds. Too too funny. Great idea though!
- great first quarter then a throw-it-to-the-other-team festival in Q2
- TA was mostly excellent
- BBD v good
- refs totally sucked, even worse than usual
- and somebody please, PLEASE fire the line editor for CSN… how many times are they gonna put up an ad, a replay, or some other nonsense as live play is happening on the court??
(Btw… have you ever seen a ref change a call after a coach (Doc today) argued his case? Even if you have, I’ll bet you’ve never seen that call changed TO THE WRONG ONE. Another argument in favor of this being the funniest game of the year.)
You missed the part where KG and Perk were doing jumping jacks
… now that was seriously hilarious :p
- Dirk van Boxtel, the wandering Celtic fan.
Twitter: @4Hoopz
All such good points DRJ1
And was everything I was thinking. Where was our defense? It was NOT there, nada!!
Did you notice near the last four minutes when KG got hit and was holding his knee, then a few minutes later rubbing it? And then BBD hurt his ankle…my fav player finally getting to play and then this! I feel so down tonight after this game. But it was, indeed, funny and strange.
perkins..
the refs hate the guy…
are you SERIOUS with that techinical foul they called on him????
did he even do anything??? the guy moves to the left.. makes a funny face.. lifts his arm… and gets called for a tech… the refs are really messed up to him..
agree with you there
Turiaf jumped on Perkins (which wasnt called for a foul) and then fell after. Perk put his arm out, thats about it- but I didn’t see a tech-worthy call whatsoever
Follow me @jimmy_toscano
by Jimmy Toscano on Dec 29, 2009 1:36 AM EST up reply actions
Justified or not, JT,
I think it’s pretty clear that if you swing the arm and stand over an opponent, you’re going to get hit with a T.
Absolutely some gray area on that play – looked like Perk got hit from behind and didn’t know exactly where the guy behind him was. But he did swing the arm after the fact, and when you’ve spent the game complaining (as he does each and every night), take an extra micro-second standing over a fallen player, and you’re getting a whistle.
I can’t say whether I would or wouldn’t have called it in the ref’s spot there – I honestly don’t know. But I definitely can’t say I had a problem with the call, all things considered.
-sw
Growing up in the Weinman household, you learn two rules very quickly if you aspire to reach double-digits in the years-of-age category: Hate thy Knick, hate thy Yankee.
Go Celtics, Go Dodgers. -sw
by Steve Weinman on Dec 29, 2009 1:58 AM EST up reply actions
In not so many words,
yup, exactly what I was going for.
-sw
Growing up in the Weinman household, you learn two rules very quickly if you aspire to reach double-digits in the years-of-age category: Hate thy Knick, hate thy Yankee.
Go Celtics, Go Dodgers. -sw
by Steve Weinman on Dec 29, 2009 2:02 AM EST up reply actions
I thought...
… the T was called because Perk complained about the no-call, pointing to his shoulder. He was hit pretty hard there, but of course, arguing too strongly for a call will sometimes get you a T… apparently more likely if you’re Perk.
Guess that could have been the case, too
Certainly, without the audio component of this, I can’t be totally sure. My impression in general is that any gesturing that either indicates some extra aggression or is “demonstrative” or perceived as showing up the refs will get you in trouble, and I thought I saw that from Perk there.
I’ll re-watch it if I get a chance, though again, with no audio, I won’t claim to have any more assurance of the exact reasoning behind the tech than you, DRJ1.
Maybe we’ll find out in the refs’ postgame conferences, heh?
-sw
Growing up in the Weinman household, you learn two rules very quickly if you aspire to reach double-digits in the years-of-age category: Hate thy Knick, hate thy Yankee.
Go Celtics, Go Dodgers. -sw
by Steve Weinman on Dec 29, 2009 2:04 AM EST up reply actions
Sure, maybe...
…when we die and go to heaven and the refs are in their own special part of hell being forced to give endless interviews throughout eternity. Yup, maybe then…. :)
I think the thing that grates is the complete arbitrariness and lack of consistency
Later in the game, one of the Warrior players (Magette?) drove the lane and lost control and the ball went out of bounds. He thought he was fouled and immediately jumped around screaming at the refs and flailing his arms about. But he didn’t get a Technical. And I have no problem with that – I think players should be allowed a few seconds of emotional response when things don’t go their way – so long as they then let it go and get back to playing.
What is ridiculous is how Perk or Sheed (and a few select players on other teams) can get hit with a T just for raising an eyebrow.
If the Ref makes the right call...No T
Perk absolutely got fouled on that play. No doubt about it. Turiaf landed on Perks back as he was going up to get the rebound of this put back (which went in). He landed on his back….that’s a foul folks, no two ways around it. Perks’ arm swong back after the contact, made no contact what so ever and he gets whistled for a Tech. There is no grey area in that play. It was called wrong from the start. The refs were treating Turiaf like an allstar. The ‘offensive foul’ on big baby, give me a break. Turiaf plowed right through his upper body, baby put his arm up to protect the ball….another bad call. Turiaf mugged Davis later in the game and Davis comes up injured….what’s the call???? Out of bounds! Reply clear shows Turiaf pushing him in the back (a common theme) and another Warriar slamming down right on Big Baby’s bandaged forearm and wrist. The calls were terrible from the middle of the 2nd Q on.
It's not a good thing
to me if we have to discuss “gray area”. To me, that sounds like more proof to me that Perk is getting stared down than that he isn’t. Definitely a good sign that the NBA is softer than Gasol and Vujacic put together, no doubt. : )
The guy fell behind Perk, so that’s a very micro second if he really turned around. I have a hard time believing that’s how a T is defined. I mean, I thought we were joking when we said Perks and Rasheed get benched for staring. : D
Amazing how the officiating can have an effect...
Just what the magic fans thought about the Christmas game
by nba is the worst on Dec 29, 2009 1:30 AM EST reply actions
I'm freaking pissed!!! I'm so tired of these NBA refs! Horrible officiating...I'm not going to sleep well tonight!!!
by wingate on Dec 29, 2009 1:34 AM EST via mobile reply actions
happens every night..
im used to it by now..
I'm far more concerned about Rondo's tweaked hamstring.
This is what I’ve been afraid of, if Rondo needs to miss a game or two we have no PG. Eddie’s just not a good ball handler, don’t care what anyone says. He’s a small 2 guard.
Don't Trade Rondo or Perk!
Scal tonight
6 minutes played, zero across the board except for 1 personal foul. Why won’t Doc even give Bill Walker a shot instead of playing this stiff?
Good question
I just don’t understand Doc sometimes… why did Billy come up, to warm the bench? Rotations… a problem for Doc.
Vlad Radmonovic had 10 rebounds tonight
How does that happen? He’s a freaking three-point shooting specialist. He had five offensive rebounds.
...And one great pass on the last inbound
Amazing, for the moron he is…
Which makes me wonder.....
Why does KG get a pass? His defense this season has been mediocre at best.
Woah! Can ya back that one up, please?
Once again, the cursory glance at the numbers shows that the Celtics are … lesseee… the #1 defense in the NBA.
And last I checked KG accounted for …. 20% of the starting lineup and very significant percentage of the minutes on the floor.
Ignoring all the ‘intangibles’ attributed to him (such as being the vocal leader on defense who dictates where everyone belongs & who should switch & such), the raw numbers suggest that if he’s being ‘mediocre’ then the rest of the team must be doing a fantastic, indeed truly stellar job on defense in order to pick up for the big slacker. Otherwise, how could the team be ranked #1 in defense?
Maybe ‘mediocre’ isn’t quite the right word?
Mediocre isnt the right word to describe KG....
but hurt and tired are.
Definition of Basketball: Boston Celtics
by MyCeltics on Dec 29, 2009 9:00 PM EST up reply actions
Refs were bad both ways tonight, so I don't see that as a real excuse
The lack of defense is the first issue- Ellis is a great scorer, but he was pretty open for some shots. Rondo had a great offensive night, but where was the defense tonight?
Turnovers were insane tonight. GS leads the league in opponent turnovers, so i guess it isnt a complete surprise. But still, 25 turnovers.. come on.
Follow me @jimmy_toscano
I wouldn't call it an excuse
but it was borderline ridiculous at times and while they had ‘bad calls’ going both ways, some of the most egregious went against the Celtics and while shame on the Celtics for letting it, it clearly put them off their game several times.
The non-call when BBD was hammered.
The absurd phantom technical called on Perk.
The non-call when Rondo was shoved out of bounds.
The lack of traveling calls all game until Ray moves his foot a half step to get it under him before shooting.
In the end though, the actual foul shots granted wasn’t that one sided. It was 29 free throw attempts for GS vs 21 for Boston – actually no where near as bad as a couple of years ago in this building. I seem to recall some ridiculous ratio in game there during the 2007-2008 season.
This building is just a suck place to play for the Celtics.
My favorite
was when the ref changed his call from charge on BBD to foul on Turiaf… and it was the wrong call. Perfect for this game.
What about the 25 Turnovers?
The refs were terrible but turning the ball over 25 times isnt exactly helpful.
Definition of Basketball: Boston Celtics
by MyCeltics on Dec 29, 2009 8:45 PM EST up reply actions
We are too slow and play with no heart! No Pierce, no win! A trade is needed ASAP.....
by wingate on Dec 29, 2009 1:50 AM EST via mobile reply actions
Doc, Doc...
.. why was Rondo guarding Ellis anyway? Why not TA? Especially after the hamstring problem happened to RR, you would think he’d have switched. It’s not like Rondo was doing much to stop Ellis….
Ref ...
I don’t want to say the refs costed us the game tonight; the Celtics has done their share to lose this one. But it is ref like those three tonight that make me believe in that ex-NBA ref convicted of gambling (What’s his name, again?)
What I saw as our problems tonight
1) lack of energy after the first quarter
2) careless with the ball, especially in the second period
3) Perk looked like a grumpy, tired stiff on defense tonight. He was ridiculously late in contesting anything and Randolph took so many uncontested shots in the 3rd period when Perk was responsible I wanted to pewk. I love Perk, and he has often been the unsung hero in so many games this year. But today he really, really stunk it up. The bleeding only stopped when Doc pulled Perk in favor of Sheed in the post.
4) Rondo looked like the hamstring was really bothering him and I think that is why he was not driving as much and settled for (imho) far too many jump shots – not only for himself, but for his team. Rondo looked slow on defense as the game wore on – I think he was really feeling it in his leg. They probably should have switched TA onto Ellis – at least after Magette went to the bench with 4 fouls.
5) Gawd we could have used Pierce in those last few minutes. TA has played very well, but he’s no Paul Pierce (not that I expect him to be) . The team is really missing a ‘closer’ right now.
6) Gawd the officiating sucked. The call that really put me over the edge and nearly cost me a new TV was when Rondo was basically shoved out of bounds and there was no call. Even though it happened right smack in front of the official. If Rondo had heat vision, that ref would have been burnt to a crisp right there. All that said, I’d put this way down here on the list of why we lost. The officials sucked for both teams – but it definitely bothered our team more.
Lol
Arent you glad you stayed up to watch?
Definition of Basketball: Boston Celtics
by MyCeltics on Dec 29, 2009 8:46 PM EST up reply actions
It was so strange how our defense would just stand there
just letting them throw and make every basket. It was like they were tired or something, uninterested or bored. I just don’t get it. Where was the fire? When we won against Orlando, the defense was awesome. What happened tonight?
Certainly the most tired...
The Celtics have looked since that stretch early in the season
by nba is the worst on Dec 29, 2009 8:55 AM EST up reply actions
Well, not really
He out-scored Rondo, 37 to 30.
But Rondo had 15 assists to only 4 for Ellis. Rondo also had 3 steals to Ellis’ 1.
Unfortunately Rondo also had 6 turnovers (all in first half, i believe) compared to Ellis’ 3.
So technically, Rondo may have outplayed Ellis. But the problem is that Rondo didn’t play the usual man-2-man defense we are used to seeing. The leg definitely looked like it was bothering him.
'Period.' ???
Well. That’s a compelling argument.
Oh man
We need to stop blowing big leads. I’d rather be able to say we never separated from these teams at all than to see 10+ point leads fall apart so rapidly. It’s happened with the starters before too, which is why I’d suggest people stop harping about a need for a backup PG. A backup PG will not help us win games we clearly don’t want to. Does it really take that much to keep a 10+ point lead? Gimme a break.
That said, the Clippers and Warriors needed every iota of their talent to beat us, despite the fact we were trying to give away the game. We gave up back-to-back games before in 07-08.
Overall….I’m not worried.
Donny
I don’t mind having Donny as the color guy. He sometimes says insightful things, although he needs to cut down on the bullet point lists that are better suited for studio analysis. And it seems like he’s becoming a homer (Anyone else catch him yelling “Go in, go in” the other night?)
Go in the paint?
That’s what I was saying! Lord knows we need to stop putting up jumpers like it’s hot, especially when it’s definitely NOT.
Perk's T will get rescinded
Of course that free throw won’t ever be.
Liked KG and Perk on the inbounder at the end. Too bad they didn’t try that last night against the Clippers. Hopefully they can salvage this trip with a win in Phoenix.
Two straight years - losses on the road to the Clippers and Warriors. Tough to lose games against two of the worst teams in the NBA. Throw in the recent home loss to the 76ers and it’s obvious this team lacks a killer instinct. They blew double digit leads in all three of these games which should not happen. Championship caliber teams don’t blow huge leads consistently as this Celtics team has started to do.
The worst part about these back to back losses is the way they occurred. The Celtics are a veteran team with a Championship pedigree and NBA champion coach. They are built to execute in crucial situations. But they failed miserably on offense and defense the last two nights. To see the Clippers and Warriors show more composure and play smarter basketball in crunch time is distressing. To see the Warriors correctly protect a 3 point lead with sound strategy when the Celtics could not against the Clippers is troubling. To see the battle tested, veteran laden Celtics get beaten down the stretch by two of the NBA’s worst teams is disconcerting.
NO EXCUSES…
Wednesday could be interesting
KG – knee tweak?
BBD – ankle sprain?
Rondo – hamstring?
All while PP and MD are out.
Hmm… better get Hudson over to Phoenix pronto. We could run out of bodies…..
(But maybe Phoenix will kick back after tonight’s big win over LA… isn’t that what NBA teams do? We did, after Orlando.)
No PP, Not good team.
Please PP Come back soon
Please Perk Calm down.
Please Sheed Play in the paint.
Please Coach Don’t give minute to Scal.
Please Rondo Improve your FT shooting.
Please Celtics Try to less making Turnovers
Please Defense.
Please Show me Boston Celtics can take the Champions cup 18th times.
Like he did against the Sixers
Paul Pierce being out isn’t the problem. To say it puts us at a disadvantage is definitely an understatement, but we need him to beat teams that have on iota of defense?
Again, when we had Pierce, we were up 10+ against the Sixers too…what happened there? We just don’t want these games.
OVERRATED..
Yes, the C’s are OVERRATED plain & simple.. Losing to the Clips & now to the Warriors is big SLAP on their faces!!! The C’s are predictable. No difference from last year. Doesn’t rebound (i dunno why Doc insist on Davis & Scal instead of Williams who is much dependable inside the paint), a point guard who runs but doesn’t know how to shoot, a big who prefers to shoots from the outside instead of playing inside, an aging trio of Garnett, Allen & Pierce. Want to beat the Celtics? Simple. Let Rondo & Wallace shoot from the outide, try to get into the nerves of Perkins, maintain body check on Garnett (he’s conscious about his injury you can keep him offbalance this way) & alas a won ballgame for you..
That troll picked us apart like no other!
Seriously!
- Dirk van Boxtel, the wandering Celtic fan.
Twitter: @4Hoopz
Nah...
I agree with Doc’s take… that the only entity that can beat them is themselves. Mental errors. This troll’s description of how to beat the Cs is ridiculous. Only the Cs can beat the Cs straight up.
I think he is making a solid point though.
If any way at all, that’s it.
- Dirk van Boxtel, the wandering Celtic fan.
Twitter: @4Hoopz
well he forgot to add: make sure Paul Pierce is out with a knee injury. No many loses a hall of fame player, go on a road trip and continue so smash the league.
When Perk was asked what he thought of Howard winning the gold medal this summer, he responded: "What’s his impression of me after I won a ring?"
...and Rondo with a hurt hamstring
Doc said post-game that he hurt it Sunday vs Clips, Q2.
No, its just a troll.
1) The2007-2008 C’s lost to the warriors in the championship season too. They also lost to the 76ers and the Wizards (3 times!!!????). I guess they were overrated then. (Before someone steps up and says those teams were all tougher then, please note that without those three victories over the C’s, the Wizards would have been a sub-.500 team.).
2) Rondo was injured and clearly not playing his normal defense (which allowed Ellis to score so easily) and not as eager to drive to the hoop (which helps the whole team offense work).
3) Perk normally doesn’t play THAT horrible of a game.
4) Pierce doesn’t get injured and sit on the sidelines on request of other teams.
The formula he is claiming doesn’t exist. The C’s beat themselves (with a slight assist from the refs).
No kidding
Rondo went 11-18 for the game, and that included a lot of jumpshots that Rondo made. Rondo actually looked confident in his shot.
Isnt it Doc's job to make sure that doesn't happen?
Definition of Basketball: Boston Celtics
by MyCeltics on Dec 29, 2009 8:57 PM EST up reply actions
Rondo hamstring
Doc said Rondo hurt his hamstring on Sunday, in the Clippers game (2nd quarter, I think he said). This would account for Rondo’s inability to keep up with Ellis’ quickness, with his twists and turns. Also on O, his jumper to drive ratio was much higher than normal.
Hopefully he gets over it in the next 2 days… but that’s really too short for a strained hamstring, if that’s what it is. Typically it takes at least a week, for the lowest grade of strain. The next game after Phoenix is Saturday. Doc might decide to sit Rondo Wednesday, giving him 5 days to heal… I think he will if that hamstring is really strained.
They might actually want to get Hudson now.
Rondo got picked a lot, by Turiaf for example.
Turiaf would set a pick on Rondo and Ellis would blast by. Nothing much you can do if you’re a lightweight pg. I’d rather blame the lack of solid help D.
- Dirk van Boxtel, the wandering Celtic fan.
Twitter: @4Hoopz
The main issue now is Wednesday
Does Rondo have a strained hamstring? Will he play or sit on Wednesday? If it’s a strain, he needs some time to heal, and the schedule is relentless…
Let him play.
He’s young. He’ll recover soon enough.
I trust he’s competitive enough to remind the Suns of why they should regret trading him.
- Dirk van Boxtel, the wandering Celtic fan.
Twitter: @4Hoopz
Doc won't
…let him play if he has a real ham strain. That would be more Phil Jackson than Doc Rivers.
Interesting about the Nuggets… they’re losing almost every game without Billups (Melo can’t do it alone, even with kmart back, plus birdman, nene, etc… I find that pretty interesting)… and Billups is walking around… but they’re not playing him, waiting for full recovery. I like that.
But RR didn’t look so bad (obviously)… just a little off his usual speed. He did grimace a couple of times though…
You should see me on the court.
I grimace more than Perk.
- Dirk van Boxtel, the wandering Celtic fan.
Twitter: @4Hoopz
SCAL OUT, WALKER IN
I agree to the guys here – Scal is a big minus for the team. Walker should be much better – and pls don’t argument with his size – he can’t jump an inch and isn’t effective against his opponents – they shot over him or grab every board over his head. Sure he can take charges sometimes but I think the time has come to replace him – you can’t set him on the roster, because of his popularity at home!! With him on the floor everybody has to increase his effort to balance the slip he brings to the play. Sorry Scal, you had your moments but something must happen or we will lose most of our games without Pierce .
I asked god and he said: L.A. will lose again next year!! ^_°
while I would like to see more of Shelden and even Walker
I think folks need to give the Scal issue a rest. His 6 minutes in the game were NOT why they lost yesterday. Not even close. And the only reason he was even in was BBD getting injured. So implying that his being out there will be the reason they ‘will lose most of our games without Pierce’ is just silly.
And yes, size does matter. And so does knowing how to play the team defense.
For the record, Scal came in specifically to sub for BBD who had just come in to spell Perkins (who as playing lousy and having a real, real bad day) but of course got injured. To your suggestion, there is no way you would substitute WALKER in for BBD/Perkins. Size DOES matter in that case. Williams, I could see an argument for.
Everyone carps on rebounds but fails to note that the reason the C’s don’t rebound well as a team in general is because they have a defensive philosophy that says to get back down on defense the moment their own shot is up (so they only rarely fight for offensive boards). Since – despite the last two losses – they are still the top defensive team in the league based on scoring as well as point differential, i find it hard to argue with that philosophy. Doc and Tom T. currently value players who know how/when to hustle into their defensive positions and play the team defense over the raw athletic ability to grab rebounds or slam dunks. Scal is no where near the athlete either of those two guys are – but he does have years of NBA experience that they simply don’t have. And he knows how to play in this system without making bonehead mistakes.
When Walker and Williams show the coaches in practice that they know how to play the team’s defense without making bonehead mistakes then they will get more playing time in close games. Its that simple.
All that said – gawd I hope they DO show that to Doc soon – we really need the bench depth to show up at big right now, with our best two SFs (Pierce & Daniels) and our second best bench PF/C (Davis) all injured. Hell, as bad as Perkins was playing yesterday, I would have preferred Williams out there over him at times.
Competition generating the defensive stats is made of 73% losing teams
Celtics schedule has been very heavy with losing teams in the 1st third of the season – at this point they are 5-3 vs winning teams, including two that have been over and under .500 all season, the Heat and Thunder.
They can’t help who they play, but when you play in the league’s weakest division and conference the stats will get some skew.
by nba is the worst on Dec 30, 2009 8:11 AM EST up reply actions
some of that is washed out
by the fact that they’ve played more road games than home games.
Turnovers, No Treys
Hard to win when you kick over the ball 25 times. 5 of 19 from downtown not so hot either.
yeah
note also that a lot of the turnovers were on ref whistles – fair or not.
Again, as the Magic fans said on Christmas...
I sure wish there were a few more owners with the guts of Cuban who really could make the situation improve…
by nba is the worst on Dec 30, 2009 8:13 AM EST up reply actions
Defense + Rotations
Nellie loves that small ball thing and had it working. With Rajon being a step slow and Perk being Perk and Scal being Scal, the GSers were getting around the Cs. So why not try Billy or Lester? Perfect set-up: 2nd of a back to back, starters were piling up minutes. Obv, you donnt want a platoon of Hudson and Walker on the court but why not put Billy in with Ray/RR or Lester w/House, TA? Mix vet presence with young legs. Dont get his platoon stuff.
Walker would only be a sub at SF
and TA is playing very well right now. I’m not sure what you gain by having Walker in over TA if your goal is speed. Walker plays more of a PF game at that position, anyway.
The more I think about it, I think they lost this game largely because of poor play by the bigs. Perkins was just awful and let the (horrible) officiating take him mentally and physically out of the game. BBD played well but then got injured. Scal didn’t hurt the team but didn’t do much on offense and is not quick enough to play a speed team like GS. He was only out there briefly because BBD got injured before Perk had sufficiently cooled off on the bench. KG had moments where he played well, and so did Sheed – but both also seemed to spend an awful lot of time just standing around, especially on offense. And Perkins looked like he was in another world on defense – as in nowhere to be found. Overall, the GS big men out played ours – that wasn’t supposed to happen.
Rondo and Ray and TA kept them in the game with their motion on offense and speed to keep up defensively with the Warrior guards, but Rondo clearly wore down as the game got late because of his leg and couldn’t shut down Ellis, even though he did pretty much match him offensively.
Scal
While I didn’t have the opportunity to see the game (it started like 4 am my time), I do have to wonder about all the anti/negative comments on Scal. I think back almost a year ago – after KG stopped playing and Scal was playing more – everyone was so happy we had such a versatile player like him. And when he himself was not able to play due to his own head problems, everyone was hoping he could come back as soon as possible – we really missed him.
How quickly we can change…
He did get worse
Not hitting his shots. Slower. Never could jump much. I think he also gained a few pounds…
Doc needed to sit Perk last night
because he was hurting us big time. that foul to the face plus the other turnovers and bad play was inexcusable. Us homers may say that call down the stretch against Perk was BS but Perk always goes for the extra little cheap shot and the refs know it. Had it been anyone else they probably don’t call it but because Perk has a history of that stuff the refs are on the lookout for it. Against fast teams he struggles and for the second night n a row he looked completely out of sync.
I agree
I do agree that the “T” was bogus and will probably get rescinded.
But Perk’s response to it and overall play was atrocious. He mentally checked out and hurt the team again and again.
I have to think that KG & Sheed will have a little talk with the youngster about keeping his composure.
What a sight. Oh to be a fly on the wall...
… when Sheed explains to Perk how to handle the refs. “See, Perk, it’s like dis. Ya gotta yell first…. real LOUD, cuz the refs hate it when they can’t hear ya. Then ya gotta swing yer arms round like you’re gonna hit em… if you don’t do dat, they’ll think you’re just foolin wit dem, n they REALLY hate that. But listen… let’s you n me get together after the game and ambush that $@^&^#motha#&^^##peesa%$#$@# in the parking lot. Beat the livin %$&# out of him… I’m SURE they’ll all stop abusing us after dat, I promise you!”
LOL - I must've been temporarily insane for a moment.
Let’s change it to:
“I have to think that KG & Ray will have a little talk with the youngster about keeping his composure.”
There, does that work better? :-)
Bizarre Officiating
That’s two games in a row.
Jacking up the 3s
This is getting a little rediculous. The last 3 or 4 possessions of the game and we run the clock down and jack up a 3. You can see what happens to our offense at times when Paul isn’t around. They torment Ray and everything just stagnates and we jack up a three.
A minute or so left to go and OFF A TIMEOUT we come out and jack another 3 when we are down by three (after another subzero night behind the arc). HAMMER THE BALL IN THE PAINT AND GET 2! I’m not 100% sure about this but if Doc drew up that play (he was drawing something during the timeout) then shame on him. Ray gets the ball on the 3 point line and KG has his man 1 on 1. Give it to the big guy to post up and get you the 2. You still have time. Then make a stop (which we did) and you are only down by one and you can tie it with free throws if they want to foul you.
I just can’t believe the horrible 3 point shooting that is going on. If Sheed throws up another 3 I’m going to throw up (even if it goes in). Did you guys see how easily he was destroying the Clippers in the first half with his inside game? WTH. Then we see nothing of it the 2nd half. The guy can score in the paint (and make many a jump shots as well). House needs to step it up because he is sub zero as well (he has been pretty horrible this year) and the guy is constantly jacking 3s (he one time gave the ball to KG who drained the 2 – I was amazed).
Did anyone see KG push from behind Ray into a better defensive position with only a minute or so left? I was laughing so hard. I love KG.
Also, can the Celtics pay me a couple hundred thousand dollars so I can come sit on the bench for Doc to not play me? Great seats and I don’t even have to do anything!
Sorry for the rant just tired from watching all these games that get over at 1:30 in the morning. Look on the brightside tho! We won’t see GS or the Clippers in the playoffs!
i don't really mind when Allen or House launch a three
after all, that’s their job out there.
But team-wise I agree with you that their is a time and place for it and I would have preferred they had gone to the post more in the closing minute.
I totally agree that I want Sheed to plant his ass in the paint and stay there on offense!!!
Still, part of the problem is that Rondo was obviously running slow and I don’t think the team trusts TA yet to be that slasher to the hoop late in a game. Nor do defenses respect him enough to sag to him on defense. If Pierce was out there, then its a no-brainer. The defense either gives him the perimeter shot to protect the paint or they play him too close – which either allows him to slash to the paint or pass to Ray who will not be doubled. And don’t forget the importance of free throws at that point in the game. Again, Pierce is sorely missed in that regard.
This team should be good enough without Pierce to beat these teams, but they need to do it by building and maintaining a lead so they don’t have to win it with a last second half-court play.
It is really hard to run a half-court offense in crunch time without a genuine triple threat – someone who can power slash, make perimeter jump shots and free throws. Pierce (and to a lesser extent Daniels) is the only guy on the team who can do all three at a high level.
Good points
You are right in that Eddie is there for a shooting attack (3s mostly). But it just killed me last night the amount of 3s getting jacked towards the end of the game when 2s would of been sufficient.
Totally agree with not having Pierce out there for the triple threat. He is a HUGE part of our offense (specially in crunch time).
by SpecialistK on Dec 29, 2009 11:40 AM EST up reply actions
I cant believe you guys lost again tonight.....u guys are levels above us (clippers) and the warriors....i guess pierce does play a HUGE part......
i havent been keeping up with the celtics like i was last year but do you guys think you guys have a deep bench? deep enough to challenge the lakers, cavs, and magic…… i see the big read albino, big baby, tony allen, bill walker, (pruitt back in the d-league i believe) omg, i forgot rasheed wallace and marquis daniels….nvm…. :-) u uys are safe in my book….
by In GrIfFin We TrUsT on Dec 29, 2009 10:44 AM EST reply actions
'need to get healthy
too many guys are banged up and either on the sidelines or playing sub-par : Pierce, Daniels, BBD, KG, Rondo, …
Those are some pretty important pieces, with Pierce possibly the most important piece on the team.
BTW – Pruit is no longer with them – Lester Hudson is this year’s Pruitt. Yes, he is currently in the D-League.
If they are banged up after 30 games...
How healthy will these important pieces be after 52 more?
Definition of Basketball: Boston Celtics
by MyCeltics on Dec 29, 2009 8:54 PM EST up reply actions
Who knows?
Athletes can get injured at any point. First game of the pre-season or last game of the playoffs or any point in between. They could all be on 13 stretchers come spring time or they could all be healthy and ready to go.
Its a long season and injuries are part of it.
The Celtics are far from being the most injured squad right now. But they are banged up.
we left our game on the floor in orlando ,the game as ray said. was the marked game. florida for xmas and then out to calif is brutal. that being said, hey steve, what about montae ellis, a truly gifted offensive juggernaut. he and rondo are amazingly gifted and unique, tho, very different. ellis is the great 2 guard in a point’s body. combine the 2 and you have hall of fame.
This is NOT our year...
To avoid “crushed spirits” during the playoffs….check your Celtic “emotional investment” at the door ASAP.
Who will be healthy at playoff time?
Cavs are peaking right now while other “elites” are struggling with injuries. Title’s advice is wise for fans of ANY team, but it’s clear that the Celtics have an excellent shot at #18 if they have everybody healthy in May…
by nba is the worst on Dec 30, 2009 8:22 AM EST up reply actions
If the Cs are healthy
…it won’t matter if they’re the 8th seed. They’ll be the best team out there. The key (and the hard part) is to be healthy.
Unfortunately I agree 100%
Definition of Basketball: Boston Celtics
by MyCeltics on Dec 29, 2009 8:56 PM EST up reply actions
From a Warrior fan - good game, guys
I think fans of any team have had nights where it seemed like the refs made pretty ridiculous calls. I won’t pretend to understand (let alone defend) them, but I’ll take ’em as repayment for past (and future) nights of what I consider crappy officiating.
That being said, good game Celtic fans! We got you on the back end of a back-to-back just like you got us when we had just played against the Cavs back in Nov. Good luck for the rest of the season.
Yeah, thanks for the classy comments.
You’ll note there are no Warrior-bashing comments in here (okay, someone did comment on Radmanovich’s intellectual prowess …). We just hate playing in your god forsaken hell hole of an arena. (Great city though – ’love visiting SF.)
Most of the frustration is with the C’s themselves or two a lesser extent with the refs (who like I said, were bad for both teams – they just got under the C’s skin more).
You have a very talented young squad, especially with Ellis and the other speedsters. Pick up a stud big or two and you could make some serious noise in the west.
Sheldon Williams
Is there something wrong with him? I didn’t see anything. But I may have missed it during the hollidays.
sheldon william's wife is hot....candace parker for president..... :-)
by In GrIfFin We TrUsT on Dec 29, 2009 4:04 PM EST up reply actions
Hmmm.... i wonder if we could trade for her to sub for Pierce ...
new Trade proposal: Scal for Candace!!!
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